Coronavirus: ‘selfish covidiots’ on flight to UK from Greek island criticised

Tui launches investigation after almost 200 passengers told to isolate after outbreak

A flight from the Greek island of Zante was “full of selfish ‘covidiots’ and an inept crew”, according to a passenger among the almost 200 onboard who have been told to self-isolate after a coronavirus outbreak.

Tui said it had launched an investigation after 16 people tested positive for Covid-19 linked to its flight to Cardiff on 25 August, including seven passengers who were infectious or potentially infectious on the plane.

Continue reading...

Rising UK infections: what do the latest figures mean?

The death rate remains low but schools reopening will be a critical moment, say scientists

As the daily tally of positive coronavirus tests in the UK reached the highest level on Sunday since 4 June, at 1,715 new cases, we take a look at whether this is a true rise in infections, and what it means.

Continue reading...

Coronavirus live news: US passes 6m cases as Scotland records highest number since mid-May

US tops 6m cases; Scotland records 160 new cases overnight; Russia reports almost 5,000 new cases

Here’s a quick recap of the latest coronavirus developments from the last few hours.

Next year’s GCSE and A-level exams could be pushed back to give pupils more time to study the syllabus, the England’s education secretary has said.

Gavin Williamson said England’s exams regulator, Ofqual, was working with the education sector to decide whether there should be a “short delay” to the exam timetable in 2021.

I know there’s some concern about next year’s exams, and that’s why we’ve been working with Ofqual on changes we can make to help pupils when they take GCSEs and A-levels next year.

Ofqual will continue to work with the education sector and other stakeholders on whether there should be a short delay to the GCSE, A and AS-level exam timetable in 2021, with the aim of creating more teaching time.

Ministers had warning after warning about problems with this year’s exam results, but allowed it to descend into a fiasco.

This is too important for Boris Johnson to leave until the last minute. Pupils heading back to school need clarity and certainty about the year ahead.

Labour’s suggestion of a delay to help with ‘catch-up’ is worthy of serious consideration.

A delay is not without its problems, a consequential delay to the publication of results will put pressure on higher education providers such as universities and colleges as well as employers. All this will need to be dealt with.

Continue reading...

How Britain’s high streets are recovering after lockdown – visual analysis

Data reveals that three in 10 shops hadn’t reopened after coronavirus restrictions were lifted – with some areas lagging further behind than others

Following the reopening of the UK’s retail and hospitality sectors through June and July, there were hopes that the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic could be lessened.

But research from the Local Data Company shows that, as of July, 29% of English high street shops hadn’t reopened in the weeks after lockdown relaxation – with that proportion increasing to as much as 54% in some areas.

Continue reading...

Recognise DfID expertise and influence in FCO merger, Raab urged

Department for International Development gave ‘huge heft to global Britain’, says ex-secretary of state ahead of 2 September merger

Dominic Raab must recognise the “extraordinary influence and expertise” of staff at the Department for International Development (DfID) to maintain Britain’s position as a world leader, according to former Conservative development secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Mitchell, who was secretary of state from 2010 to 2012, said the DfID, which merges with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 2 September to become the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), had contributed “huge heft to global Britain” in terms of soft power.

Continue reading...

Counter-terror arrests at Stansted after fighter jets intercept airliner

Pair from Kuwait and Italy arrived on flight from Vienna on Sunday

Counter-terrorism police have said they detained two men at Stansted airport.

A 34-year-old from Kuwait and a 48-year-old from Italy were detained by counter-terrorism officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit soon after 7pm on Sunday, the unit said in a statement.

Continue reading...

Tories warn Rishi Sunak amid Covid tax hike rumours

Several Conservative backbenchers argue that focus must be on supporting a continued economic recovery

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has been urged not to introduce tax hikes in his November budget by Conservative backbenchers who argue they would damage economic recovery.

The intervention followed speculation the Treasury could raise £20bn through extra levies to deal with the fallout from Covid-19.

Continue reading...

E-scooters: time to take the brakes off | Letter

The government must stop dragging its feet when it comes to encouraging the use of e-scooters, argues Hilary Saunders

Your article about e-scooters (UK rides the wave of micromobility by embracing e-scooters, 25 August) failed to raise some vital questions.

As electric scooters can cost as little as £120, they could provide the ideal transport for low-income commuters, while helping to reduce carbon emissions, especially in cities. It would not cost much to mark out a lane on arterial roads for the use of bicycles and e-scooters.

Continue reading...

Sons must leave UK after boat crossing but father stays after flight arrival

Asylum claims all based on risk to life in Yemen but three sons to be sent to Spain leaving father in UK

Three members of the same family who arrived in the UK in a small boat have been locked up in an immigration detention centre while a fourth member has escaped incarceration because he arrived in the UK by plane.

The family, who have asked to be referred to by their first names only, are from war-torn Yemen. They had been living in a Gulf state but when that country revoked their residency permits they were forced to flee.

Continue reading...

‘Fake’ Rembrandt came from artist’s workshop and is possibly genuine

Head of a Bearded Man revealed to be from same wood panel used for Rembrandt’s Andromeda

A tiny painting of a weary, melancholic old man long rejected as a fake and consigned to a museum basement has been revealed as one from Rembrandt’s workshop, and possibly by the man himself.

The Ashmolean museum in Oxford will this week put on display Head of a Bearded Man (c 1630) which was bequeathed to it in 1951 as a Rembrandt panel. In 1981, it was rejected by the Rembrandt Research Project, the world’s leading authority on the artist that effectively has a final say on attributions.

Continue reading...

Palestine: 1947 escape from British prison exposed as inside job

Exclusive: architect leaked plans to Jewish militants leading to raid seen as signifying London’s declining control

The family of a decorated British civil servant who built a notorious jail for the empire in Palestine has revealed he leaked the building plans to Jewish militants, helping them to launch a legendary prison break in 1947.

The storming of Acre prison has been credited as a critical event that led to the British decision to end what was increasingly viewed as an onerous mandate in Palestine. Until now, details of how the highly sophisticated operation was so successful had remained elusive.

Continue reading...

Under-25s bearing brunt of Covid mental-health toll – survey

Findings reveal anxiety, inability to concentrate and fears over employment at high levels among young people

Young people have suffered more with mental health issues over the last few months than any other age group, according to a far-reaching study that has scrutinised the effects of the pandemic on the under-25s.

A troubling picture of growing levels of anxiety and an inability to concentrate was reported by those aged between 18 and 24 as part of an extensive survey of more than 6,000 adults carried out by YouGov and designed by the Resolution Foundation, which was subsequently analysed by the independent charity the Health Foundation.

Continue reading...

Coronavirus live news: Queensland steps up alert; protesters try to storm Reichstag

Demonstrations in Germany and UK against coronavirus restrictions; Australian opposition calls for wider care home inquiry; Turkey sees two-month high in cases. Follow all the developments live

AFP is reporting from Rome:

Three Nigerian migrants attacked staff in a military hospital in Rome after testing positive for Covid-19, the defence ministry said Saturday.

And in Victoria, Australia’s worst-affected state.

#COVID19VicData for 30 August, 2020. There were 114 new cases detected in Victoria yesterday. Sadly we report 11 lives lost - condolences to all affected. More information will be available later today via our media release. pic.twitter.com/4voh37S3oM

Continue reading...

Coronavirus live news: India reports record rise in infections; global cases pass 25m

India records world’s highest single day rise; Latest Johns Hopkins figures show 842,702 people have died; Jacinda Ardern thanks Aucklanders

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down art exhibitions around the globe, but organisers of the RIBOCA2 biennial in Latvia have pushed ahead, reimagining the event to reflect challenging times.

To ensure social distancing, installations by nearly 70 international artists are showcased at the sprawling 20-hectare (50-acre) Soviet-era Andrejsala industrial port in Riga, long abandoned and given up to nature.

Hello, I’m taking over from Amy for the next few hours, as ever please don’t hesitate to share relevant tips and pointers with us, you can get me on Twitter @JedySays or via email.

Continue reading...

UN refugee agency calls on EU nations to let in migrants rescued in Mediterranean

UNHCR and IOM say 200 rescued people urgently need to get off Banksy-funded ship

The UN refugee agency urged European nations on Saturday to let in hundreds of migrants rescued from the Mediterranean by humanitarian boats, including one financed by the British street artist Banksy.

The UNHCR and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said more than 200 rescued refugees and migrants needed immediately to get off the nonprofit search-and-rescue ship Louise Michel, saying it was far beyond its safe capacity.

Continue reading...

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after body found in London park

Arrest follows discovery of stabbing victim in Walthamstow on Monday

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a stabbing in a north-east London park. Yassar Mustakim Moussa suffered a wound to his neck and was unresponsive when he was discovered in a brook at St James’s Park in Walthamstow on Monday.

Police were called at about 1.40pm, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Continue reading...

Boris Johnson faces Tory wrath as party slumps in shock poll

Party in despair, senior MP says, as Labour draws level in wake of exam chaos and Covid U-turns

Boris Johnson is facing a showdown with furious Conservative MPs over his government’s chaotic handling of Covid-19, as a new poll shows the Tories have surrendered a massive lead over Labour in just five months.

As MPs prepare to return to Westminster on Tuesday, Charles Walker, who is vice-chair of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers, told the Observer that a recent string of U-turns had left many colleagues in despair, with some struggling to support and defend their government to constituents. Governing by U-turn in this way, he said, was unsustainable.

Continue reading...

‘Our superhero’: black British figures praise Chadwick Boseman

Tributes to groundbreaking star come from spheres of film, TV, sport and politics

Chadwick Boseman has been widely praised for breaking down cultural boundaries and inspiring a generation of young black people, following news of his untimely death.

The Black Panther star died at his home in the Los Angeles area aged 43, four years after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He was best known for his role as the regal T’Challa in the Marvel cinematic universe, the franchise’s first high-profile black superhero.

Continue reading...

Greek lawyer in Harry Maguire case reveals details of hate mail he received

Ioannis Paradissis says messages from supporters of Manchester United footballer have shocked him

The fallout from Harry’s Maguire’s calamitous holiday in Mykonos has been swift, brutal and revelatory, not least for the Manchester United captain.

Yet for Ioannis Paradissis, the Greek prosecution lawyer at the centre of the case following the footballer’s arrest after a late-night brawl on the isle, the drama is far from over.

Continue reading...

Dominic Raab: new department will make aid spending more effective

Merger of Foreign Office and Department for International Development will mean better value for money, minister says

Dominic Raab has pledged that the controversial merger of the Foreign Office and Department for International Development (DfID) will give taxpayers better value for money on government aid spending.

The foreign secretary has ordered a review into the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), the body for overseeing government aid, in a move he said would lead to “more effective and accountable aid spending” when the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is formally launched next week.

Continue reading...